Shana Galen by True Spies Read Free Book Online Page B

me?”
    “Of course.” What were friends for if not to assist in times of need? No matter that Elinor’s head was still reeling from Winn’s strange behavior last night. No matter that he’d been gone before breakfast, and the girls had not even had a chance to see him. No matter that she would have to be the one—as usual—to witness the girls’ disappointment when he did not attend their play. No matter.
    The one thing she could do was organize a party.
    “Very well. Stand back.” Elinor stepped forward.
    “Here we go,” Mary said, clapping her hands together excitedly.
    Elinor raised her hands. “Stop. All of you, stop.” She did not raise her voice, only spoke in an authoritative tone. Slowly, the bevy of servants ceased their mad flitting about and looked at her. “Now, gather around and listen carefully. This is what you are going to do.”
    She laid out a simple list of what needed to be accomplished in order of priority, and then she went about assigning groups of servants to each task, with the highest-ranking servant in charge and the others as assistants. She told them to report back to her in one hour, then calmly walked about offering encouragement, suggestions, and resolving disputes. After an hour, the group in charge of the lanterns had finished, and the others were making splendid progress. The household looked busy and industrious. Even the viscount stepped outside for a moment and peered about at his diligent staff with something akin to wonder.
    Lady Hollingshead beamed and insisted on showing him her preparations. Elinor let her have the credit and then sent the group of servants who had finished to the kitchen for refreshments for the rest of the staff. Finally, she strode to where Mary sat under a large white canopy. “We should have another update in three-quarters of an hour. I think we are well on our way.” She took a seat on the chaise longue and finally had a moment to enjoy the day.
    “I don’t know how you do it,” Mary said, looking about and shaking her head. “Jane was desperate when I arrived, and I simply couldn’t think where to begin. Now it seems all is underway.” She gestured to Jane and Lord Hollingshead. “Are you going to allow her to pretend this is all her doing?”
    Elinor laughed. “Of course.”
    “And when all falls apart after you return home?”
    “I shall come by in the morning to make certain all the last-minute preparations go smoothly. We don’t want to disappoint the prince.”
    Mary smiled. “No, heavens no!” She looked down at her hands. “Will you be attending alone?”
    Now Elinor took a deep breath. She would have been much more comfortable discussing party details. “Most probably.”
    “Then I take it your reunion was not all you had hoped and more.”
    “It was…” Elinor tried to find the appropriate word. “Interesting.”
    “Interesting?” Mary leaned closer. “Did you sleep at all last night?”
    Elinor laughed, then rose and took Mary’s arm. “Let’s walk for a moment. We can’t talk in private with all this hustle and bustle.” They strode into the garden and away from the main house.
    When they were some distance from the servants, Mary said, “What happened? Did he have any explanation for his disappearance last night?”
    Elinor studied the hedges near her and made a note to tell the Hollingsheads’ gardener to trim them. “Of course not.”
    Mary sighed, and Elinor shook her head. “He chastised me for attending without him and looking like a harlot.”
    “That is promising. Is he finally jealous?”
    “I thought the same thing, and do you know, I do not care anymore.”
    Mary clapped, surprising Elinor. “Bravo! Why you continued to hold out hope he would fall in love with you is beyond me. He is an idiot not to see how fortunate he is.”
    Elinor smiled sadly. It was a lovely sentiment, but she did not believe it. She had never truly felt worthy of Winn. He was so charming, so amusing, so handsome.